Second Amendment rally draws support

Photo by: Beth A. BirminghamOggi Cohen of Tenants Harbor observes his Second Amendment right to bear arms during a rally in Rockland Nov. 3.

Rockland — Supporters of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution held a peaceful rally in Winslow-Holbrook Memorial Park Nov. 3.

More than 20 people — men, women and children — showed up for the planned rally. Blaine Richardson of Belfast, currently running for Congress, was on hand to show his support as well.

"My support of the Second Amendment is without compromise," Richardson states in a comment on his Facebook page.

Participants displayed signs, waved flags, and received honks of approval from passersby. Several even had their firearm strapped to their side — clearly exercising their right to keep and bear arms, as stated in the Constitution.

Rally organizer Richard Ward said the rally was moved to Sunday because hunting season officially opened Saturday, and he thought that would affect attendance. Ward is a member of the National Rifle Association and People Against the National Defense Authorization Act.

"I'm one of the really big supporters of the Second Amendment in Maine," said Richardson, who was also involved in the Guns Across America rally held at the Capitol in Augusta in January.

"Maine has more handguns per capita than any other state," said Richardson. "Why? Because we are rural," he said.

"We just had a bear on a neighbor's porch in Belfast," he explained. "You don't go after a bear with a pair of scissors."

"The Second Amendment protects our First Amendment — and there is nothing more precious than our First Amendment," said Richardson.